Hame-tug



(No Model.)

0. W. HUDGENS.

' HAME TUG.

No. 468,848. Patented Sept. 1, 1891.

a TENS ca., PHUYD LIYNO., WASHKNBTON u c UNITED STATES PATENT Prion.

CHARLES HUDGENS, OF ELIZABETH, ARKANSAS.

H A M E T U G SPECIFICATION forming part of-Letters Patent No. 458,848,dated September 1, 1891..

Application filed May 6, 1891. Serial No. 391,788. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, OHARLEs WV. HUDGENS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Elizabeth, in the county of Fulton and State of Arkansas,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Tug Attachments;and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which itappertains to make and use the same.

The invention consists in a new and improved tug attachment for harness,which will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

Referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of theentire attachment. Fig. 2 is a sectional view taken on line a a ofFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken on a plane indicated by line Z)Z), Fig. 1.

The same numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in theseveral figures.

Referring to the several parts by letter, the attachment is formed withthe fiat body 1, which is formed with two longitudinal bores or openings2 2, and with the central longitudinal slot 3, extending from a pointnear the solid inner end of the body. The tapering outer end of the bodyis formed with an opening 4, and a ring 5 is usually mounted in thisopening.

6 indicates the head-block, which is secured to or formed integral withthe outer ends of three parallel rods 7 7 the tapering outer end of thehead-block having the opening 6formed in it. The two outer rods 7 slidein the longitudinal openings 2 of the body 1, while the central rod 7passes through a central opening 3 in the inner end of the body into thelongitudinal slot 3. Around each of the rods is coiled a spiral spring 8of suitable size and strength, the ends of the three springs beingsecured, respectively, to the inner end of the body 1 and the inner endof the head-block 6.

In operation the outer end of the body 1 is secured to the end of thesingletree, as shown in Fig. 2, and the other end of the device isconnected to the hame or. plow-chain, whichever may be used. Where ahame is employed the hook 011 its rear end is caught in aring 9, whichis placed in. the opening 6, and a hook 10 is mounted in the opening 6starting a team, the coiled spring 8 will yield 7 or stretch andimmediately recover itself, thus preventing any sudden jar or jerk,which is unavoidable with a rigid connection. The inner end of the rod 7is formed with a stop or head 7 which slides in the slot 3,. whichserves to prevent the two parts of the device from being pulled apart onany unusually severe strain.

From the foregoing description, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, the construction, operation, and advantages ofthe invention will be readily understood without requiring furtherdescription.

It will be seen that the device will effectually prevent all suddenstrain or jerk in starting, thus preventing injury to the harness, thevehicle, and to the horse itself.

The device can also be used to a great extent as a draft-equalizer, asit will prevent a large orpowerful horse from gaining or holding theadvantage of a small or weak one.

By using the device on the harness while plowing it prevents many breaksin. plow and harness occasioned by the plow striking against roots,rocks, and other solid obstructions. V

The device can be detached from one part or kind of harness in aninstant and as readily attached to another.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure byLetters Patent, 1s

1. The combination of the body 1, formed with the longitudinal openings2 3 2 and the slot 3, the head-piece 6, having the rods 7 connectedthereto at their outer ends, the central rod 7, having the stop 7 at itsinner end, and the spiral springs 8, encircling the said rods andsecured at their ends to the parts 1 and 6, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of the body l,formed with the longitudinal openingsand having In testimony whereof Iaflix my signature in ch?1 aperturedouter end, the head-piece 6, the presence of two witnesses.

r0 s connected thereto and sliding in the T T openings of the body 1,the retaining-button CHARLES HUDGEB 11, and the spiral-spring 8,encircling the rods Witnesses:

and secured at their ends to the parts 1 and J. M. BARKER,

6, respectively, substantially as set forth. Z. J. OARG-IL.

